Original Papers
Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on treatment adherence and the caregivers’ preference regarding telepsychiatry services at a specialized child and adolescent mental health service in a teaching hospital in Sri Lanka
Authors:
Y. M. Rohanachandra ,
University of Sri Jayewardenepura, LK
About Y. M.
Department of Psychiatry
University Psychiatry Unit, Colombo South Teaching Hospital
K. A. S. D. Nanayakkara,
Colombo South Teaching Hospital, LK
About K. A. S. D.
University Psychiatry Unit
Santhirasulochana Vipulanandan,
Colombo South Teaching Hospital, LK
About Santhirasulochana
University Psychiatry Unit
Abhiramie Yoheswaran
Colombo South Teaching Hospital, LK
About Abhiramie
University Psychiatry Unit
Abstract
As many countries have reported a disruption of the delivery of mental health services during the pandemic, we aimed to assess the impact of the pandemic on the treatment compliance of patients attending a CAMHS in Sri Lanka and to assess the patients views on telepsychiatry. Sixty percent had defaulted treatment during lockdowns, with rate of defaulting treatment being significantly higher in those receiving only non-pharmacological therapies (p<0.01). Majority (81.9%) wished to be contacted by CAMHS, with video call through WhatsApp or Viber being the preferred choice. Telepsychiatry via video calls maybe an alternative way of providing services during a pandemic.
How to Cite:
Rohanachandra, Y.M., Nanayakkara, K.A.S.D., Vipulanandan, S. and Yoheswaran, A., 2022. Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on treatment adherence and the caregivers’ preference regarding telepsychiatry services at a specialized child and adolescent mental health service in a teaching hospital in Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka Journal of Psychiatry, 13(2), pp.18–20. DOI: http://doi.org/10.4038/sljpsyc.v13i2.8362
Published on
31 Dec 2022.
Peer Reviewed
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